CertainTeed Landmark ClimateFlex Shingles
SBS-modified impact-resistant architectural shingle. UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating — the highest available. Qualifies for 10 to 28 percent insurance premium discount in most states. THE shingle for McHenry County’s storm-damage market.
Class 4 Impact (UL 2218) • Insurance Discount Eligible • SureStart PLUS Non-Prorated Warranty
Built for Hail. Insured for Less. Backed by 50 Years.
McHenry County averages multiple hail events per year. The April storms, the July thunderstorms, the October systems that drop pea-to-quarter-size hail across Crystal Lake, Cary, Algonquin, and the surrounding area. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already had one claim on your roof. Maybe two. And your insurance premium has gone up both times.
Landmark ClimateFlex is the shingle built to break that cycle. SBS-modified asphalt (styrene-butadiene-styrene rubber modifier) gives the shingle rubber-like flexibility — it absorbs hail impact energy that would crack rigid standard shingles. UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating is the highest available. That impact rating typically qualifies homeowners for 10 to 28 percent insurance premium discount, which often pays back the shingle upgrade over the first decade. And through IHC’s SELECT ShingleMaster certification, the whole package is backed by SureStart PLUS 50-year non-prorated warranty plus 25-year workmanship coverage.
Why Landmark ClimateFlex Is THE McHenry County Storm Shingle
Our most common roof replacement call is insurance-driven — hail or wind damage requiring material replacement. For every one of those conversations, Landmark ClimateFlex is the upgrade we walk through. Here’s why.
SBS Modification — Rubber-Like Flexibility in the Shingle
Standard asphalt shingles are rigid. When hail hits, the impact energy has nowhere to go — the shingle cracks, granules dislodge, the substrate gets exposed, and the damage shows up on the insurance inspector’s report. Landmark ClimateFlex uses SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) modified asphalt — the same rubber modifier used in commercial roofing and asphalt highway paving in cold climates. SBS makes the shingle flex on impact instead of cracking. Hail hits, shingle absorbs, surface recovers.
I’ve watched Landmark ClimateFlex shingles take 1.5-inch hail and show no damage on the inspection afterward. Same storm, standard Landmark on the house next door had 30 percent of the roof slope damaged. That’s the SBS difference doing exactly what it’s engineered to do.
Class 4 Impact Rating — The Highest Available
UL 2218 is the impact testing standard for roofing products. Class 4 is the highest rating — a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet, twice in the same spot, with no cracking, splitting, or tearing allowed. Class 3 is 1.75-inch ball from 17 feet. Class 2 is 1.5-inch from 15 feet. Class 1 is 1.25-inch from 12 feet. Landmark ClimateFlex passes Class 4 because the SBS modification lets the shingle absorb and recover from the impact energy.
Insurance adjusters know Class 4. When we call in a claim on a Class 4 ClimateFlex roof after a hail event, the approval conversation is often shorter than for standard shingles — they know the shingle either passed the storm or didn’t, and Class 4 means it usually did.
10 to 28 Percent Insurance Premium Discount
Most insurance carriers offer premium discounts for Class 4 impact-rated roofs — typically 10 to 28 percent depending on carrier and state. In hail-prone McHenry County, that can mean $200 to $800 per year saved on homeowner’s insurance. Over the 30-year life of the roof, the insurance discount alone often exceeds the shingle material upgrade cost. We’ll help you confirm your carrier’s specific discount structure during the consultation — some carriers require proof of Class 4 certification, which we provide.
The math on this is the math that makes ClimateFlex the right call for McHenry County homes. Same roof, different shingle. Insurance discount pays the difference within years. And the roof is more storm-resilient on top of that.
SureStart PLUS Non-Prorated + Enhanced Impact Coverage
Landmark ClimateFlex carries CertainTeed’s standard Limited Lifetime material warranty PLUS enhanced impact coverage specific to the ClimateFlex line. Through IHC’s SELECT ShingleMaster certification, the product qualifies for SureStart PLUS 50-year non-prorated material warranty and 25-year workmanship coverage — coverage you can only get through a credentialed installer using the full Integrity Roof System.
The SureStart PLUS workmanship warranty is what makes IHC the right roofer for storm-claim work. If the install causes a leak in Year 15, we fix it. If a ClimateFlex shingle fails early (which it almost never does), CertainTeed covers 100 percent replacement — not a prorated check. That combination is unique to SELECT ShingleMaster, which is fewer than 1 percent of U.S. roofers.
See CertainTeed Landmark ClimateFlex Installed by IHC
Real projects across McHenry County. No stock photos.
Post-hail replacement — Cary, IL
Standard asphalt after hail — not ClimateFlex
Finished ClimateFlex install — McHenry County, IL
After storm replacement — McHenry County, IL
Wind damage — why we recommend ClimateFlex
IHC crew installing ClimateFlex
Class 4 Impact — Why It Matters in McHenry County
UL 2218 impact testing simulates hailstone impacts at different sizes and drop heights. Here’s what each class means and why Class 4 is the right target for our hail exposure.
| UL 2218 Class | Steel Ball Size | Drop Height | Hail Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 1.25″ | 12 ft | Small hail |
| Class 2 | 1.5″ | 15 ft | Nickel-quarter hail |
| Class 3 | 1.75″ | 17 ft | Golf-ball hail |
| Class 4 (Landmark ClimateFlex) | 2.0″ | 20 ft | Golf-to-baseball hail |
McHenry County hail exposure: We average multiple significant hail events per year. The April 2024 storm that hit Crystal Lake and Cary dropped up to 2-inch hailstones across several square miles. Class 4 is the rating that survives those events without material damage. Most carriers give a 10-28 percent premium discount in recognition.
Landmark ClimateFlex vs. Standard Architectural vs. NorthGate ClimateFlex
Landmark ClimateFlex sits in a specific category: Class 4 impact-resistant architectural at an accessible price point. Here’s how it compares up and down the CertainTeed lineup.
| Feature | Landmark ClimateFlex This Page | Standard Landmark | Landmark Pro | NorthGate ClimateFlex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier | Class 4 Impact Architectural | Standard Architectural | Premium Architectural | Premium Class 4 Impact |
| Impact Rating | Class 4 (UL 2218) | Not impact-rated | Not impact-rated | Class 4 (UL 2218) |
| SBS Modification | Yes | No | No | Yes (deeper) |
| Wind Rating | 110 mph (upgradable) | 110 mph (upgradable) | 110 mph (upgradable) | 130 mph / 160 mph WindProven |
| Fire Rating | Class A | Class A | Class A | Class A |
| Insurance Discount | Yes (10-28%) | No | No | Yes (10-28%) |
| Warranty (IHC) | Enhanced impact + SureStart PLUS 50-yr non-prorated | SureStart PLUS 50-yr non-prorated | SureStart PLUS 50-yr non-prorated | Enhanced impact + wind + SureStart PLUS |
| Best For | McHenry County storm-market standard | Non-hail-prone elevations, budget-sensitive | Premium aesthetic without Class 4 | Exposed elevations + Class 4 + WindProven |
Why Buy CertainTeed Landmark ClimateFlex Through IHC
SELECT ShingleMaster — The Storm-Claim Differentiator
Every IHC roof replacement we’ve done since 2020 has been installed by a SELECT ShingleMaster-credentialed crew — fewer than 1 percent of U.S. roofers hold that credential. For storm-claim work, that credential matters: we work the insurance adjuster conversations, document the damage properly, specify ClimateFlex where the exposure justifies it, and install to CertainTeed’s Integrity Roof System spec (matching starter, CertainTeed ridge caps, synthetic underlayment, ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys, proper intake and exhaust ventilation).
That’s what unlocks SureStart PLUS for homeowners: 50-year non-prorated material warranty plus 25-year workmanship coverage. Standard roofer warranty: 10 years on materials, 1 to 2 years on labor, prorated after year 1 to 5. SELECT ShingleMaster SureStart PLUS: 50 years on materials, 25 years on workmanship, non-prorated. For a roof you expect to own for decades, the warranty difference is real money over time.
21+
Years in McHenry County
380+
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A+
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Notes From the Field — What We Actually Install
I’ve been installing Landmark ClimateFlex across McHenry County since CertainTeed launched the line. It’s our default shingle for every storm-damage replacement where the homeowner wants to stay ahead of the next hail event. We’ve installed ClimateFlex in Crystal Lake, Cary, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Huntley, Woodstock, McHenry, and Barrington — all across the McHenry County hail belt. Our most common ClimateFlex color orders are Moire Black and Weathered Wood on Colonial and ranch homes, with Heather Blend gaining ground on modern farmhouse remodels.
Install spec is the same as standard Landmark with one difference: we run 6-nail pattern on every ClimateFlex install (not 4-nail) for upgraded wind warranty and to prevent blow-off at the edges during high-wind events. Ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys is non-negotiable — we extend the ice-and-water 24 inches past the interior wall line to prevent ice dam water infiltration. Ridge vent sizing follows CertainTeed’s attic square-footage ratio. Ventilation is the #1 factor in long shingle lifespan, and it’s where many roofers cut corners.
For insurance claims: I’ve handled 40-plus ClimateFlex replacements where the original roof was hail-damaged. The claims process is cleaner when we specify ClimateFlex because the insurance carrier recognizes Class 4 as a durable upgrade that reduces future claim risk. Some carriers will approve a ClimateFlex upgrade as part of the claim with no out-of-pocket difference to the homeowner — we’ll handle that conversation during the inspection. For homeowners paying out-of-pocket, the insurance premium discount typically pays back the ClimateFlex material upgrade within 8 to 12 years.
Other CertainTeed Products We Install
Every CertainTeed shingle line we install. IHC is SELECT ShingleMaster certified — fewer than 1% of U.S. roofers. SureStart PLUS warranty coverage available on every product.
CertainTeed
Landmark
Standard architectural / workhorse
Explore →
CertainTeed
Landmark Pro
Premium / Max Def / 20% heavier
Explore →
CertainTeed
Landmark Premium
Max asphalt content / heaviest
Explore →
CertainTeed
NorthGate ClimateFlex
Premium Class 4 / 160 mph WindProven
Explore →
CertainTeed
Presidential Shake TL
Luxury / triple-laminate shake
Explore →
CertainTeed
Presidential Shake IR
Luxury shake + Class 3 impact
Explore →
CertainTeed
Grand Manor
Ultra-premium / 320 lbs / square
Explore →
Ready to Install the Storm-Resistant Roof With the Insurance Discount?
We come to your home, inspect the existing roof (including storm-damage assessment if applicable), discuss insurance involvement, and walk you through CertainTeed Landmark ClimateFlex colors with physical sample boards. Free estimate whether you’re paying out-of-pocket or working a claim.
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4410 IL-176, Suite 1, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes ClimateFlex different from standard Landmark?
SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) modification of the asphalt. SBS is a rubber modifier that gives the shingle flexibility under impact — instead of cracking when hail hits, the shingle flexes and recovers. That’s what earns the UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating. Standard Landmark doesn’t have SBS modification and isn’t Class 4 rated.
How much insurance discount do Class 4 shingles get?
Typically 10 to 28 percent on the annual homeowner’s insurance premium, depending on carrier and state. In Illinois, most major carriers offer a Class 4 discount — State Farm, Allstate, Travelers, and others. We help confirm your specific carrier’s discount structure and provide the Class 4 certification documentation they need. Over the 30-year life of the roof, the insurance discount often exceeds the ClimateFlex upgrade cost.
Does the Class 4 rating last the life of the roof?
Yes. UL 2218 Class 4 is a material property determined by the shingle’s composition and construction (SBS modification). It doesn’t degrade over time the way granule adhesion can. A ClimateFlex shingle installed in 2026 will still be Class 4 in 2056 if properly installed and maintained. The insurance discount continues for as long as the roof is in service.
Can I claim the Class 4 discount if I replace after hail damage?
Yes, and this is often how ClimateFlex gets specified. Many Illinois insurance carriers either require or encourage Class 4 replacement after a hail claim to reduce future claim risk. Some will approve the ClimateFlex upgrade as part of the claim (no out-of-pocket difference for the homeowner). Others require the homeowner to pay the upgrade difference. We’ll walk through the specifics during the inspection and insurance adjuster meeting.
How does ClimateFlex compare to NorthGate ClimateFlex?
Both are Class 4 impact-rated with SBS modification. NorthGate ClimateFlex is the premium version: heavier (deeper shadow lines), rated 130 mph wind standard (vs 110 mph), and WindProven-eligible to 160 mph. For exposed elevations — lake-front homes, corner lots, open farmland — NorthGate is the upgrade. For most McHenry County residential storm market, standard Landmark ClimateFlex is the right balance of impact resistance and investment.
What’s the warranty on Landmark ClimateFlex?
CertainTeed Limited Lifetime material warranty PLUS enhanced impact coverage. Through IHC’s SELECT ShingleMaster certification, the product qualifies for SureStart PLUS: 50-year non-prorated material coverage plus 25-year workmanship coverage. Non-prorated means the warranty doesn’t decrease in value over 50 years.
